When written texts are unavailable, what are the two ways archaeologists can most assign confidently approximate dates to ancient items, structures, or organic remains?Group of answer choicesApplying the concept of stratigraphy when conducting an archaeological excavationCarbon-14 (radiocarbon) datingStrontium isotope analysis of teeth and bonesStudying dental enamel hypoplasia
Question
When written texts are unavailable, what are the two ways archaeologists can most assign confidently approximate dates to ancient items, structures, or organic remains?Group of answer choicesApplying the concept of stratigraphy when conducting an archaeological excavationCarbon-14 (radiocarbon) datingStrontium isotope analysis of teeth and bonesStudying dental enamel hypoplasia
Solution
The two ways archaeologists can most confidently assign approximate dates to ancient items, structures, or organic remains when written texts are unavailable are:
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Applying the concept of stratigraphy when conducting an archaeological excavation: Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers and layering. It is used in archaeology to establish the relative ages of layers of sediment, artifacts, structures, and features. The principle of stratigraphy states that lower layers are older than upper layers, unless the sequence has been disturbed.
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Carbon-14 (radiocarbon) dating: This is a method for determining the age of an object containing organic material by using the properties of radiocarbon, a radioactive isotope of carbon. The method was developed in the late 1940s and is a standard tool in archaeology. It can date organic matter up to about 50,000 years old.
Similar Questions
Select all that applyScientists use two methods to estimate the age of fossils. Select the two correct methods from the choices below.Multiple select question.x-ray crystallographyrelative datingabsolute datingbiogeochemical datingchromatography dating
What dating method can be used to establish a an estimated age for specimens found in the same layers of strata?Group of answer choicesbiostratigraphydendrochronologypaloemagnetismcarbon 14 dating
dating involves assigning a specific age to a fossil by testing either the fossil or the sediments above and below it.
The first thing that we want to do is to decide what we would like to date. Using the stratigraphicsection above, can you identify any archaeological or stratigraphic features that you would like to tryand date? Fill in the table below for as many features as you would like to include.
Scientists can estimate the ages of rock if they contain certain __________. A. sediments B. carbons C. minerals D. index fossils
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